Remote banking during fueling

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a system and method allowing customers to conduct a remote banking transaction at a fuel dispenser, including obtaining cash in association with the transaction at the dispenser or a common terminal in the dispenser forecourt. The system may include a cash dispenser at the dispenser, fueling position, or the central terminal, or, alternatively, a delivery system configured to deliver cash from a central location to the customer at the dispenser, fueling position, or central terminal. During a transaction for purchasing fuel or other products associated with the service station, a customer is provided an opportunity to conduct a remote banking transaction. Providing a customer the opportunity to conduct such a transaction in association with a dispenser transaction will attract more customers to the station because of convenience as well as provide customers with more disposable cash to spend at the associated quick-serve restaurants and convenience store.

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/779,822, filed Feb. 8,2001, now U.S. Pat. No.6,685,089, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/295,626, filed Apr. 20, 1999, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to fuel dispensers and fueldispensing environments, and, in particular, to a dispenser anddispensing system capable of facilitating remote banking transactionsthrough a financial network.

Historically, a fuel dispenser's only function was to dispense fuel froman underground storage tank to an automobile. As technology evolved,fuel dispensers were equipped with credit and debit card readers, and,to a limited extent, cash acceptors. These developments facilitated easypayment and dramatically increased convenience to customers. Theincreased convenience to the customer increased the number oftransactions for each dispenser at a fueling station, but actuallydecreased the volume of sales in convenience stores associated with thefueling station. “Pay at the pump” customers are completing theirtransaction at the dispenser without going into the convenience storeand purchasing goods and services that provide higher profit marginsthan fuel.

In an effort to attract customers into the convenience store, today'sfuel dispensers provide various levels of merchandising and advertisingfor marketing specific products and services, most of which are paid forat the dispenser using the card reader or cash acceptor. A furtheradvancement in dispenser technology provides wireless communicationsbetween a dispenser or associated communications system and a remotecommunication unit or transponder carried by a person or mounted to avehicle. These wireless communications systems typically interrogate thetransponder to receive identification and account information sufficientto facilitate a transaction.

As indicated above, items purchased in a convenience store or associatedquick-serve restaurant are much more profitable than the gasolinedispensed in the forecourt of a gas station. Many of the“pay-at-the-pump” customers are trying to maximize convenience and oftencarry little or no cash. Many of these customers avoid conducting a cardtransaction at the dispenser and then going into the convenience storeto conduct another card transaction for additional products. Ifcustomers have sufficient disposable cash, they are more likely toconduct a quick cash transaction in the convenience store to purchaseproducts. Unfortunately, most “pay-at-the-pump” customers do not haveexcess cash to purchase products. Furthermore, many times thesecustomers would like quick access to cash and would find obtaining cashat a service station convenient “Pay-at-the-pump” customers aregenerally comfortable conducting transactions at automated tellermachines (ATM's) and use these machines for many, basic bankingtransactions.

Although many convenience stores now have ATM's, these machines aretypically located in the convenience store and require customers toconduct fueling and banking transactions at separate locations.Typically, the banking transaction must occur before or after fueling.Unfortunately, the dead time during fueling usually requires thecustomer to remain at the fuel dispenser. Given the above, there is aneed to provide a customer with cash in association with a fuelingtransaction and/or facilitate remote banking during a fueling operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system and method allowing customers toconduct a remote banking transaction at a fuel dispenser, includingobtaining cash in association with the transaction at the dispenser or acommon terminal in the dispenser forecourt. The system may include acash dispenser at the dispenser, fueling position, or the centralterminal, or, alternatively, a delivery system configured to delivercash from a central location to the customer at the dispenser, fuelingposition, or central terminal. During a transaction for purchasing fuelor other products associated with the service station, a customer isprovided an opportunity to conduct a remote banking transaction.Providing a customer the opportunity to conduct such a transaction inassociation with a dispenser transaction will attract more customers tothe station because of convenience as well as provide customers withmore disposable cash to spend at the associated quick-serve restaurantsand convenience store.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art after reading the following description of thepreferred embodiments when considered with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a depiction of a fuel dispenser equipped with an interfaceaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block schematic of the fuel dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a depiction of a fuel dispenser having an associated deliveryterminal.

FIG. 4 is a block schematic of the fuel dispenser of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fueling environment configured with apneumatic delivery system capable of delivering cash from a centrallocation to each of a plurality of fuel dispensers.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fueling environment having a pneumaticdelivery system configured to deliver cash to a common location in theforecourt of the fueling environment.

FIG. 7 is a depiction of a common terminal associated with a deliveryterminal of a pneumatic delivery system.

FIG. 8 is a depiction of a common terminal having a coin and currencydispenser.

FIG. 9 is a block schematic of a system constructed according to thepresent invention having a cash dispenser at each fuel dispenser.

FIG. 10 is a block schematic of a system constructed according to thepresent invention having a common currency dispenser located in theforecourt.

FIG. 11 is a block schematic of a system constructed according to thepresent invention having a delivery system configured to deliver cash toeach fuel dispenser.

FIG. 12 is a block schematic of a system constructed according to thepresent invention having a delivery system for delivering cash to acommon delivery terminal located in the forecourt.

FIG. 13 is a block schematic wherein the central control system hasautomated teller functionality.

FIG. 14 is a block schematic wherein the central control system isassociated with an automated teller machine.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating the basic operation of thedispensing system effecting a remote banking transaction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, like reference characters designate likeor corresponding parts throughout the several views. The illustrationsare for the purpose of describing preferred embodiments of the inventionand are not intended to limit the invention thereto. Given the nature ofthe present application, an overview of the fueling environment isdiscussed followed by a detailed description of the various functionalaspects of the invention.

As seen in FIG. 1, a fuel dispenser 10 is shown constructed according tothe present invention with a user interface 12 and a fuel deliverysystem. The delivery system provides a fuel delivery path from anunderground storage tank to a vehicle. The delivery path includes a fueldelivery line 14 having a flow meter 16. The fuel delivery line 14communicates with a fuel delivery hose 18, which extends outside thedispenser 10 and has a delivery nozzle 20. The delivery nozzle 20provides manual control of fuel delivery to the vehicle.

The dispenser 10 also includes a control system 22 having one or morecontrollers and associated memory 24. The control system 22 operates tocontrol the dispenser interface 12 and the fuel delivery system. Thedispenser interface will include various combinations of subsystems tofacilitate customer interaction with the dispenser and communicationbetween the dispenser and local and remote systems. The dispenser mayalso be equipped with an audio system with one or more speakers 28 inorder to provide various beeps, tones and audible messages to acustomer. These messages may include warnings, instructions, andadvertising.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser 10 is equippedwith a card reader 30, cash acceptor 32, and printer 34. With theseoptions, the dispenser control system 22 may read data from the magneticstrip of a card inserted into the card reader 30 as well as account forcash received from a customer during a transaction. As shown in FIG. 2,such financial information is typically communicated to a centralcontrol system 36, located in another part of the fueling environment.The central control system may be the G-SITE controller sold by GilbarcoInc., 7300 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, N.C. The central controlsystem 36 generally communicates with a remote network 38, such as anaccount verification authority, to ascertain whether a transactionproposed to be charged or debited from an account associated with thecard inserted in die card reader 30 is authorized. For transactionsreceiving cash through the cash acceptor 32, an amount of cash receivedby the dispenser is forwarded to the central control system 36 foraccounting. A receipt of any transaction occurring at the dispenser isprintable using a printer 34.

The dispenser 10 may include one or more displays, such as analphanumeric display 40 and a high resolution graphics display 42. Thegraphics display 42 is preferably a liquid crystal display orcathode-ray tube configured to display graphics, video, or a combinationthereof. Either of these displays may be associated with one or morekeypads, such as soft keys 44 or the hard keypad 46. Either of thesekeypads may be integrated with one of the displays to provide atouch-activated interface.

The fueling environment, and preferably each dispenser, may be equippedwith wireless communication electronics to provide uni- orbi-directional communications between a customer or vehicle carrying acorresponding remote communications device. The communicationelectronics will typically include a transmitter for transmittingsignals to the remote communication device and a receiver for receivingsignals emanating from the remote communication device. Likewise, theremote communication device may also include a receiver and transmitter.The transmitter and receiver of the remote communication device mayseparately receive and separately transmit signals in cooperation withan associated control system, or may be configured so that thetransmitter actually modifies the signal received from the communicationelectronics in the fueling environment.

For the sake of conciseness and readability, the term “transponder” isused herein to describe any type of remote communication device capableof communicating with the communication electronics of the fuelingenvironment. Similarly, the communication electronics in or associatedwith the dispenser 10 is referred to as an “interrogator” 47. Typically,the transponder is used to quickly and efficiently transmit account andidentification information to a dispenser to facilitate a transactiontaking place at the dispenser. A unique and optional aspect of thepresent invention is to use the transponder to help correlate andidentify a customer starting a transaction at one point in the fuelingenvironment and completing the transaction at another point, wherein thetransponder is interrogated at each point to help identify a user with aselect transaction or operation.

The dispenser 10 may also be equipped with a scanner or code reader 48,such as a bar code reader, to receive additional information from acustomer. The information may come from a printout received from anotherlocation, or a code on an associated card or like medium. The dispenser10 may also include a biometric reader 50 for reading fingerprints,retinal information, or like biometric indicia to help identify a userand facilitate secure transactions.

Of particular interest with respect to the first embodiment, thedispenser 10 may include a currency dispenser 52 and/or a coin dispenser54 configured to dispense paper currency or coins in response to signalsfrom the dispenser control system 22. In this embodiment of the presentinvention, the dispenser control system and currency dispenser 52cooperate to dispense a requested amount of cash to the customer at theend of a banking transaction requesting a cash withdrawal.

In certain embodiments, it is preferable to equip the dispenser 10 witha currency dispenser 52 for dispensing paper currency and not to equipthe dispenser 10 with a coin dispenser 54 to minimize cost andcomplexity of the system. Other embodiments may require the addition ofa coin dispenser 54. Operation of the system with respect to providing aremote banking transaction during a dispenser transaction is discussedbelow.

The dispenser of this embodiment may include a deposit box 56 forreceiving various types of financial documents and cash for deposit withthe service station or associated financial institution. Each dispenseris configured to facilitate various financial transactions, includingfacilitating cash withdrawals, fund transfers, account status checking,and making deposits, alone or in association with a fueling transaction.The dispenser in this embodiment does not require delivery systemsconfigured to physically transfer documents, including cash or coins, tothe dispenser from a central location.

In a second embodiment of the invention, as depicted in FIGS. 3-5, eachdispenser in the service station forecourt is associated with amechanical, and preferably pneumatic, delivery system 60. The deliverysystem 60 is configured to physically transfer documents and products,including cash, from a local delivery terminal 62 associated with eachdispenser 10 to a central delivery terminal 68 via a delivery transport64. The transport 64 includes delivery tubing 66 between the local andcentral delivery terminals 62, 68.

In other respects, the fuel dispenser 10 is equipped similar to thefirst embodiment discussed above, with the exception that cash is notdispensed from the system within or associated with the dispenser, butfrom the delivery system 60. It is important to note that the localdelivery terminal 62 of the second embodiment and the cash dispenser ofthe first embodiment may be integrated within the dispenser, attached tothe dispenser, or configured as a stand-alone system substantiallyadjacent to the dispenser. Furthermore, these systems may be associatedwith a single dispenser or each fueling position of a dispenser. For thesake of conciseness and readability, only the integrated cash dispenserembodiment and delivery embodiment having an attached local deliveryterminal 62 are discussed in detail.

A third embodiment is shown in FIG. 6 wherein a delivery system 60cooperates between a central delivery terminal 68 and a common deliveryterminal 70 located in the forecourt of the service station. Instead ofhaving immediate access to the delivery system at each dispenser, thecommon delivery terminal 70 is provided which is accessible by customersconducting transactions at any dispenser. As such, a customer at any ofthe dispensers requesting or receiving cash or other documents mayconduct the banking transaction at any of the dispensers and actuallyreceive the cash or documents at the common delivery terminal 70.

FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a common delivery terminal 70 having acard reader 72, hard keypad 74, soft keypad 76, and display 78. Thecommon delivery terminal 70 may also include a scanner or code reader80, biometric reader 82, audio system 84, interrogator 86, and printer88. These systems operate in similar fashion to corresponding systemslocated in the dispenser as discussed with the above embodiments.

In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a common dispensing terminal58 may be located in a common location in the forecourt, in a fashionsimilar to that described with the common delivery terminal 70. Thedifference between the common delivery terminal 70 and the commondispensing terminal 58 shown in FIG. 8 is that a delivery system is notrequired, and the terminal is configured to dispense cash from internalreserves. Preferably, the common dispensing terminal 58 may include ahard keypad 74, soft keypad 76, display 78, and printer 88. As notedwith the common delivery terminal 70, a scanner or code reader 80,biometric reader 82, audio system 84, and interrogator 86 may also beprovided.

Preferably, the common dispensing terminal 58 will include a currencydispenser 90 for delivering cash back to a customer in association witha transaction. An optional coin dispenser 92 is also available. To makeadditional purchasing easy, an optional currency acceptor 96 and cardreader 72 is provided. In an effort to facilitate additional financialtransactions, a common deposit box 98 is provided to receive variousdocuments associated with any type of financial transaction occurring atthe common dispensing terminal 58.

Various financial transactions are made possible at the dispenser or acommon terminal 58, 70 without requiring the customer to directlyinterface with an automated teller machine. These functions may includechecking account status, making deposits, or withdrawing cash from anaccount associated with a customer's card, transponder, or otherportable, readable media carrying financial information. Of particularimportance, customers conducting transactions at a dispenser will beable to receive cash in the forecourt without having to enter thestation or conduct a second financial operation.

Turning now to FIG. 15, a flow chart outlining the basic operation ofone embodiment of the present invention is shown. For customersbeginning a fueling transaction or already in the midst of a fuelingtransaction, the remote banking process begins (block 200). Dependingupon the system configuration, the customer or fuel dispenser caninitiate the start of a remote banking transaction (block 202) where acustomer's financial information is read (block 204). This informationcan be received from a prior reading of a magnetic card, transponder, orother media, or may be received after requesting the information orinterrogating the transponder concurrently with the transaction.Generally, the fuel dispenser will cooperate with the central controlsystem and one or more remote networks to obtain authorization for thefueling transaction (block 206). Pre-authorization for certain remotebanking transactions may also be provided. If authorization is notobtained (block 208), the customer is informed (block 210) and theprocess ends (block 222). Assuming authorization is obtained (block208), generally, the fueling process will begin or continue (block 212).Depending on the system configuration, certain systems will requirepre-authorization before beginning a fueling transaction while othersystems allow initial fuel delivery before authorization is obtained inorder to expedite the fueling operation.

Although the customer may be queried at any time before, during, orafter the fueling transaction regarding remote banking transactions(block 214), the most opportune time to query a customer for such atransaction is during the fueling operation (block 212). If a remotebanking transaction is not desired (block 216), fueling will continueuntil the fueling operation ends (block 222). If a remote bankingtransaction is desired (block 216), the customer is queried for thedesired transaction (block 218). As noted, any type of remote bankingtransaction may be provided. In essence, the fuel dispenser is a virtualautomated teller machine.

Once the customer has selected the desired transaction and taken thenecessary steps to enter the required information, the transaction iseffected (block 220). Notably, depending on the system configuration,the remote banking transaction may require additional steps forcompletion, especially if cash or documents are provided to thecustomer. In the embodiments where these documents can be dispensed ordelivered directly to the dispenser, verification of the customeraccepting the cash or documents is typically not necessary. If cash ordocuments are dispensed or delivered at a common terminal, a secureverification system is preferred. Such verification may include any typeof reconfirmation of information received at the dispenser, entering anidentification number, or scanning information carried by the customeror received by the customer at the dispenser. Biometric verification isalso possible.

DETAILED OPERATION OF THE ABOVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 9, a block schematic of the first embodiment isshown wherein fuel dispensers 10 are equipped with currency and/or coindispensers 52, 54 for dispensing cash to a customer. Each of thedispensers are preferably in communication with a central control system36, which is in further communication with a host network 38. The hostnetwork 38 maybe an account verification authority, financialinstitution, or other network or institution effecting or necessary forcustomer transactions. The central control system 36 may also beassociated with a point-of-sale (POS) terminal 100 located in theconvenience store or associated quick-serve restaurant. The POS terminalis usually operated by a cashier 102.

During operation, a customer typically interfaces with the fueldispenser 10 via the dispenser interface 12 to conduct a transaction topurchase fuel or order goods or services from the convenience store,quick-serve restaurant, or associated car wash. In association with thetransaction, the fuel dispenser 10 is configured to query the customeras to whether he/she would like to conduct a remote banking transaction.During initiation of the fueling transaction, transactions to becredited to or debited from an associated account are handled by thefuel dispenser 10 transferring the information to the central controlsystem 36, which in turn sends the financial information along withtransactional information to the host network 38 for authorization andultimate accounting. A request for a cash withdrawal or transaction maytake place during this initial authentication-process or may beaccounted for at or near the end of the primary transaction. Forexample, the fuel dispenser 10 and central control system 36 maycooperate to add to the transaction total the amount of cash requestedby the customer, and send the total to the host network 38 foraccounting. As such, the host network never actually realizes that cashis being provided to the customer, in addition to accounting for thetransaction. Alternatively, the amount of cash requested by the customermay be accounted for and authorized separately by the central controlsystem 36 and host network 38. Those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize numerous methods of accounting for the cash requested back bythe customer. In order to provide the customer with cash, the fueldispensers 10 in FIG. 9 will cooperate with the central control system36 to signal the currency and/or coin dispensers 52, 54 to dispense theproper amount of cash back to the customer.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the fuel dispensers 10 are notequipped to dispense cash, but are associated with the common dispensingterminal 58. In order for a customer to receive cash back, the initialtransaction and request for additional cash is made at the fueldispenser as described in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9. An additionalstep is required with the embodiment of FIG. 10 wherein the customermust go to the common dispensing terminal to receive the cash back. Inorder to make sure the proper customer receives the cash requested,additional verification of the customer associated with a select amountof cash back must take place at the common dispensing terminal 58. Suchverification may require entering a personal identification number(PIN), code, reinserting the magnetic card, or simply having the commondispensing terminal 58 interrogate a transponder associated with thecustomer using the interrogator 86.

As those skilled in the art will recognize, there are many ways toverify a customer at the common dispensing terminal 58 and associatethat customer with the proper amount of cash to dispense. In addition tothe above-mentioned techniques, the fuel dispenser 10 may print a codeor number at the fuel dispenser 10 which is subsequently entered orscanned by the common dispensing terminal 58 to match the customer withthe selected cash or documentation. Upon verification, the centralcontrol system will cooperate with the common dispensing terminal 58 todispense the proper amount of cash using the currency or coin dispenser90, 92.

With either of the embodiments shown in FIG. 9 or 10, other financialtransactions may be effected at the fuel dispenser and/or commondispensing terminal 58. Preferably, deposits would be made at thedeposit box 98 of the common dispensing terminal 58. Checking on accountstatus or transferring funds from one account to another in a fashionsimilar to that done at an ATM may take place at the fuel dispenserduring the fueling transaction or separately at the common dispensingterminal. Although the common dispensing terminal may be directlyassociated with the various fuel dispensers in the forecourt, it ispreferable to have the central control system 36 serve as the controlcenter for each of the fuel dispensers as well as any common dispensingterminals 58.

Turning now to FIG. 11, a block diagram of a pneumatic delivery systemis shown having local delivery points 62 associated with each of thefuel dispensers 10 in the forecourt. Accounting for transactions andconducting automated teller-type functions at the dispenser aretypically handled via the central control system 36 in association withone or more host networks 38. The central control system 36 is usuallyin communication with and operates to control the delivery system 60based on customer requests and transactions at each fuel dispenser 10.Preferably, cash or other products for delivery to a local deliveryterminal 62 associated with any of the fuel dispensers 10 are loadedmanually at the central delivery terminal 68 by a cashier 102 or othersite personnel, or automatically from a central currency dispenser 106.If a central currency dispenser 106 is used, it is also preferablycontrolled by the central control system 36 such that cash or documentsrequested by the customer are automatically loaded into the deliverysystem 60 at the central delivery point 68 by the central currencydispenser 106. After being loaded at the central delivery terminal 68,cash and dispenser is transported to the select local delivery point 62.

In this embodiment, deposits may be made at the local delivery point andsent to the central delivery point for deposit. Financial transactions,such as transferring money from one account to another that do notrequire delivery or deposit, may take place at the fuel dispenser.Additional information relating to pneumatic delivery systems may befound in the following references:

U.S. Pat. No. 3,365,146 (Freeman) Issued Jan. 23, 1968

U.S. Pat. No. 3,877,241 (Wade) Issued Apr. 15, 1975

U.S. Pat. No. 3,951,461 (De Feudis) Issued Apr. 20, 1976

U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,031 (Vayda, Jr.) Issued Feb. 19, 1980

U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,370 (Danler et al.) Issued Aug. 18, 1981

U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,941 (Willey et al.) Issued Jun. 5, 1990

U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,714 (Porter et al.) Issued Mar. 3, 1992

U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,152 (Reinhardt et al.) Issued Oct. 11, 1994

U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,367 (Scott) Issued Oct. 8, 1996

U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,710 (Ables et al.) Issued Jun. 10, 1997

U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,124 (Bustos et al.) Issued Mar. 10, 1998

These patents are incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 12 depicts a delivery system in a fueling environment wherein acommon delivery terminal 70 is placed in the forecourt. The operation ofthe delivery system is analogous to the delivery embodiment discussedimmediately above, yet requires verification of a customer at the commondelivery terminal 70 before cash or products are made accessible ordelivered to the customer. In a typical operation, the customer suppliesaccount information to the fuel dispenser using a card, transponder, orother medium storing financial information to authorize fueling. Thefuel dispenser transfers financial information to the central controlsystem 36, which will request authorization from the host network 38.Upon authorization, the customer will begin fueling and/or orderproducts from an associated quick-serve restaurant or convenience store,or purchase a car wash. During this transaction, the customer mayrequest cash or conduct virtually any remote banking transaction. Thecash request is accounted for either with the existing transactions orseparately authorized by the central control system 36 and host network38.

Once the transaction is over and the cash request is approved orauthorized, the central control system 36 will query a cashier 102 tomanually load the cash into the delivery system for delivery to thecommon delivery terminal or cause the central currency dispenser 106 toautomatically load the requested amount of cash into the delivery system60. The fuel dispenser then instructs the customer to move to the commondelivery terminal 70 to receive the requested cash. In order to receivethe cash, the customer must verify his or her identification in anynumber of ways, such as entering a PIN number or code, scanning indiciaprinted at the fuel dispenser for verification, entering a card into thecard reader, or allowing a transponder to be interrogated by theinterrogator 86. Any type of verification is acceptable and consideredwithin the scope of the present invention.

The dispenser and central control system may be configured to providevirtually any ATM function at the dispenser 10. Regardless of whetherdelivery systems are implemented in the fueling environment or currencydispensers are used at the dispensers or common terminals, the centralcontrol system 36 may be configured to provide ATM functionality inaddition to the typical management of the fuel dispensers, conveniencestore, quick-serve restaurant, car washes, and other systems throughoutthe fueling environment. For example, the central control system 36 mayact as the heart of an ATM with a remote interface at the fueldispensers 10 or common terminals 58, 70, as shown in FIG. 13.Alternatively, the central control system 36 may communicate directlywith an ATM in the fueling environment. The ATM may access various hostnetworks 38 directly or via the central control system 36. The dispensermay also share or contribute extensively to the control of the remotebanking interface. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, accounting andcontrol of ATM functions are provided via the ATM wherein traditiontransactions are carried out through the central control system 36 incooperation with the host network 38.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from the teachingsherein additional ways to provide cash back and ATM functionality in thefueling environment. Furthermore, the system may be equally affective inan electrical power dispenser for charging electric vehicles. Any suchmodifications are considered to be within the scope of the presentinvention and the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for facilitating automated tellerfunctions for fueling customers, comprising: commencing a fuelingtransaction at a fuel dispenser including delivering fuel to acustomer's vehicle; providing a customer interface with a financialinformation reader on the fuel dispenser; associating a control systemwith the customer interface; reading account information from thefinancial information reader; and effecting, contemporaneously with thefueling transaction, automated teller functions using accountinformation read from the financial information reader.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein providing a customer interface with a financialinformation reader on the fuel dispenser comprises providing a customerinterface with a card reader.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein providinga customer interface with a financial information reader on the fueldispenser comprises providing a transponder interrogator configured toreceive wirelessly the financial information from a transponder.
 4. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising dispensing cash to the customer inresponse to a transaction to withdraw cash.
 5. The method of claim 4further comprising dispensing cash to the customer comprises dispensingcash through a pneumatic delivery receptacle.
 6. The method of claim 1further comprising cooperating between the control system and apneumatic delivery receptacle to effectuate delivery of cash ordocuments associated with a banking transaction effected at thedispenser.
 7. A method for providing cash to a fuel dispenser customercomprising: at a fuel dispenser; allowing the fuel dispenser customer toselect a banking transaction; obtaining financial information from thefuel dispenser customer; conducting a fueling transaction based in parton the financial information; communicating with a remote authorizationnetwork based on the financial information; and conducting a remotebanking transaction.
 8. The method of claim 7 further comprisingdelivering cash or documents associated with the remote bankingtransaction to the customer.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein deliveringcash or documents associated with the remote banking transaction to thecustomer comprises delivering the cash or documents through a pneumaticdelivery system.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein delivering the cashor documents through a pneumatic delivery system comprises loading cashor documents at a central terminal and receiving cash or documents at aremote terminal at or near the fuel dispenser.
 11. The method of claim10 wherein loading cash or documents at a central terminal comprisesloading cash or documents at a central terminal adjacent a point-of-saleterminal associated with a central control system and configured toallow manual delivery of cash or documents to the central terminal. 12.The method of claim 10 wherein loading cash or documents at a centralterminal comprises placing cash in the pneumatic delivery system with acash dispenser associated with the central terminal.
 13. The method ofclaim 8 further comprising associating a remote terminal for delivery ofcash or documents associated with the remote banking transaction at oneor more fuel dispensers within a fueling environment.
 14. The method ofclaim 8 further comprising positioning a common terminal in a locationnear multiple fuel dispensers such that cash or documents associatedwith the remote banking transaction may be delivered to or from thecommon terminal.
 15. The method of claim 7 further comprisingdispensing, at the fuel dispenser, a cash amount to the fuel dispensercustomer during a cash withdrawal transaction.
 16. The method of claim 7further comprising dispensing cash to the fuel dispenser customer from acash dispenser during a cash withdrawal transaction.
 17. A method offacilitating a remote banking transaction for a customer in a fuelingenvironment comprising: associating a central control system with afinancial authorization system; receiving customer financial informationfor a remote banking transaction; interfacing with the customer througha customer interface on a fuel dispenser; and conducting the remotebanking transaction by transferring the customer financial informationto said central control system which forwards the customer financialinformation and remote banking transactional information to thefinancial authorization system to effect the remote banking transaction.18. The method of claim 17 further comprising delivering cash ordocuments to the customer in a forecourt of a service station containingthe fuel dispenser.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein delivering cashor documents to the customer in a forecourt comprises delivering cash ordocuments to the customer from a cash dispenser in or associated withthe fuel dispenser.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein delivering cashor documents to the customer in a forecourt comprises delivering cash ordocuments in a stand-alone cash dispenser removed from the fueldispenser.
 21. The method of claim 18 wherein delivering cash ordocuments to the customer in a forecourt comprises delivering cash ordocuments to the customer with a pneumatic delivery system.
 22. Themethod of claim 21 wherein delivering cash or documents to the customerwith a pneumatic delivery system comprises using a central terminal anda remote terminal within the pneumatic delivery system.
 23. The methodof claim 22 further comprising positioning the remote terminal in oradjacent the fuel dispenser.
 24. The method of claim 22 furthercomprising positioning the remote terminal apart from the fueldispenser.
 25. The method of claim 18 further comprising verifying acustomer associated with the remote banking transaction and receivingverification from the customer before giving access to cash or document.26. The method of claim 17 wherein carrying out the remote bankingtransaction comprises carrying out a remote banking transaction selectedfrom the group consisting of a cash withdrawal, a transfer of funds, adeposit of funds, and an account balance inquiry.
 27. A method ofeffecting a remote banking transaction at fuel dispenser, comprising:delivering fuel to a vehicle through the fuel dispenser; receivingfinancial information from a customer to conduct a remote bankingtransaction; communicating from the fuel dispenser to an automatedteller machine that facilitates the remote banking transaction; andcooperating amongst the fuel dispenser and the automated teller machineto effect the remote banking transaction contemporaneously with thedelivering.
 28. The method of claim 27 wherein communicating from thefuel dispenser to the automated teller machine comprises using anintermediary central control system.
 29. A method of effecting a remotebanking transaction at an energy dispenser, comprising: deliveringenergy to a vehicle through the energy dispenser; receiving financialinformation from a customer to conduct a remote banking transaction;communicating from the energy dispenser to an automated teller machinethat facilitates the remote banking transaction; and cooperating amongstthe energy dispenser and the automated teller machine to effect theremote banking transaction contemporaneously with the delivering.